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Regiment: 15th Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: John M. Oliver
Washington Jan 26 1862
My Dear Colonel
Your kind favor of 17th
inst was recd last night. Allow me
to offer my sincere congratulations
upon your promotion & also to wish
you & your command that success
which, I have no doubt you will
attain. I hope it is not necessary
for me to say a word in regard to
remarks made by Luce, as you Know
us both, & think you will give me
credit of saying to you frankly at
all times whatever I had to say, &
am perfectly content that you should
decide whether it would be consistent
with my friendly relations with you,
to say any thing to him, or any one
else, about your inefficency. I have
been confined to my room in the
City during last week & have not been
to Camp, but shall go over tomorrow
& as our regiment is to be paid, will
try & get yours & execute your several
commissions. I can hardly tell
what I shall do with Company E,
Smith is more & more & you need
not be surprised if I send him
home. I thank you kindly for
the offer of influence from yourself
& friends, but have determined to
make no effort for promotion unless
it may be upon the grounds of merit
alone, which will be decided by the
future success of the regiment on the
field of battle. Should be pleased to
hear from you often & if I can render
you any assistance will cheerfully do
so. My wife joins me in kind regards
to yourself & wife.
Your Friend Truly
DA Woodbury
